Jerome Carshawn Johnson's turbulent ride through the criminal justice system came to a quick end Thursday.

Since last year, he has been tried on a weapons possession charge three times and hit in the head by an assailant at a break in his trial while jurors watched. A week ago, just before the start of his third trial, he was wrongly reported at death's door after a Corliss Park shooting.

Johnson was released from jail Thursday after Judge Andrew Ceresia dismissed weapons possession charges against him in mid-trial.

Prosecutors finished their proof and rested. Defense attorney Tim Nugent argued their proof was lacking and asked for a dismissal.

Ceresia agreed.

Johnson had been free on bail but Ceresia ordered him jailed after he showed up 45 minutes late for trial on Tuesday and without a good excuse.

Johnson's second trial in the case last month ended with a concussion.

During a lunch break Aug. 19, some jurors, Johnson and his friends were at the Dunkin' Donuts shop across the street from the Rensselaer County Courthouse. Johnson, who was at the counter ordering a Coolatta, was hit once in the head by a man wielding plastic and metal chair. The man then ran off. No arrests have been made and police said Johnson did not cooperate in their investigation.

When court resumed, Ceresia said he had no choice but to dismiss the jurors who witnessed the attack and declared a mistrial for lack of a complete jury.

Johnson's first trial ended with a hung jury in 2014.

Last week, police and prosecutors believed Johnson was shot during an exchange of gunfire between people at the Corliss Park Apartments off Northern Drive. He was reported to be in Albany Medical Center Hospital in critical condition with a bullet wound to the abdomen.

Wrong.

While local media reported police identifying Johnson as the victim, he walked into the hospital to see his lifelong friend Avery D. Miller, 21, of Troy.

At the shooting scene, before losing consciousness, Miller told paramedics and police he was Johnson, officials said.

Miller had an outstanding warrant out for his arrest in a separate matter, DeWolf said at the time, which was the likely reason for the lie.

Miller had no identification and somewhat resembled Johnson. He is recuperating.

Ceresia ruled Thursday that prosecutors had not provided enough proof to support Johnson's weapons possession charge or that the gun he carried was loaded, officials said.

In July 2013, Johnson allegedly ran from a car stopped by police, who said he appeared to be carrying a handgun. Police eventually caught up with Johnson, but he had no gun. Retracing his steps, they found a loaded handgun and drugs on the street and charged him.

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Though Ceresia did not dismiss the charges with prejudice toward prosecutors, it is unlikely Johnson will be retried. He will likely be protected under the double jeopardy clause of the U.S. Constitution, officials said.